Back from a trip to York to see our daughter (Physics undergrad) and to take part in my second ever marathon. My first was Brighton in April.
Some thoughts on my second marathon based on my experience. York was very different from Brighton. I mean that in terms of how hard it was, physically and mentally. I wonder if anyone has felt that way. In Brighton the last 10k was awful, tough, hard, painful. I managed to keep running though. Finish time was 4:56. I was happy with that based on how hard it was. This time, it just seemed a lot easier. In fact the last 10k was wonderful. Finish time 4:29 and a negative split of all things.
It wasn’t all perfect. My knee was wrecked after Brighton, had lots of physio and lots of strength work. At York it was sore at 8 miles and at 18 miles it was agony, due to leaning into a tight turn. But it improved, and I was able to increase my pace and complete the last 10k in an hour.
So, the point of my post. What did I learn, what did I do differently.
I ran less before York, I think I over trained for Brighton. I ended up with shin splints which stopped me running 2 weeks before the race, they were fine during the race though.
Lots of knee strength training, it really made a difference. Single leg squats everyday, 45 per day.
I also learned, that the journey to the start line was different for each marathon, as different as the two races were in fact. It may be that the journey to every marathon is different. It’s such a long training block, that anything can happen I had Covid for the first time during my York training.
I’ve signed up for Brighton 2023, if it happens, or I get into London, so I’ll see what the 3rd marathon is like 😀
for now, a bit of rest, wine and cake.
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Bladerunner2049
Marathon
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Wow! Congratulations on an amazing marathon! It's so interesting reflecting and learning isn't it . But I think you're right - each run is different (even if it's the same event). I suspect what we learn and improve at is adaptability, flexibility and resilience. Here's to marathon number 3 (how many people can say that?) 👍
I think you’re spot on there Linda. adaptability, flexibility and resilience Of course that looks different for each person, and I guess I’m just finding mine, at least at this distance. The marathon is such a beast compared to shorter distances. It’s like a journey of the mind and body for those 26.2 miles. Highs and lows and ups and downs, and not just the hills 😀I’m 52 and never though that I would run a marathon, or even want to, never mind 3! I started running again 3 years ago (just before Covid) and it’s been an amazing time 😀
fantastic! Well done and congratulations 👏 🥳 🏅I bet it was lovely to catch up with your daughter too 🙂
York sounds like a good one from your description. They’re all tough though but in different ways. Given what you know now would you do Brighton again? 🙂
Yup, anything can happen during the training block and probably will. I’m sorry to hear you had shin splints! They’re lousy! 😫ugh. You overcame everything though so hats off to you 💪👊✊
Enjoy a rest and get your body slowly back to “normal” 😁. Cake and wine is a great. Cheers and Bon apetite 🥂🍰
Morning Misswobble, Thank you so much. Yea the Shin Splints were lousy, could not run 2 weeks before the Brighton marathon, lots of foam rollin', stretching and wearing compression socks worked for me, at least enough to get round.
it’s good to have a training plan on the go. Helps keep you focussed 👁🙂. Running through a U.K. winter is usually ok 🙂. If not, we do some cross training 💪👍
Is that the Blue Bell in York? I stopped off in there after last year’s Yorkshire Marathon and it was a great finish to a really good day. I really like old pubs such as this with traditional wooden panelling. And it served mild! I found a seat in the back room and chatted for a while with a couple sat next to me (I’d gone up to York on my own for the race). There were a few people in the room wearing finishers’ medals and the whole room ended up joining in to one big chat about the race. Left me with a great vibe!
I know what you mean about how marathons can be very different in terms of how hard they feel. My Yorkshire Marathon was a reasonably steady, but manageable, effort (although the finish was interesting, with me confusing the start arch with the finish!) The second half of the Newport one was, however, a real struggle for me.
That’s an impressive improvement you achieved in your finish time! With the extra training time required for a FM, that means there’s more opportunity for something to go wrong (like your shin splints).
As a way of building up core strength, I’m thinking of returning to a few easy HM training runs each month prior to my ramp up to the marathon in March (Newport). It’s not a recognised method but it seemed to give me a good starting point.
York has some great pubs, lots of variation too, from craft beer to traditional pubs and cocktail bars mixed in. Not sure it was the Blue Bell, I was trying to find Brew York😀
I’m going to add some strength training into my training, see how that goes. Can’t hurt 😂
Best of luck with Newport, hopefully that second half is better for you.
And as far ‘double’ finish arches. I know what you mean, had something similar at Brighton too. I nearly fell for it at York 😀
thanks for the nice race report and congratulations on the result. And yes, there are so many things to learn - even just on how to get to the start line in good shape (I have no answers but a lot of food for thought this year). Good luck for Marathon #3
Exactly right. I’d not realised how ‘lucky’ you have to be to get to the start line. Brighton especially, even after the shin splints. I had planned to stay at a friends house and he tested positive for Covid the morning I was due to travel to Brighton 😳 I was lucky to get a hotel room and lucky not to catch it myself until July.
Wow! Well done 👏🏃🏽🏅 and congratulations on your fantastic time and some really interesting reflections on training. I have to say, I can’t imagine running a full marathon ( a Half is plenty for me!) and this has always been mainly based on the thought of the training commitment! 45 single leg squats a day proves that you are made of stronger stuff!😂👏
thanks Sandraj39, Inhad thought I replied but I can’t see that I did, so I’ll try again 😁
it was either do the knee squats or give up any sort of distance running. So no choice really. You don’t know if it’s doing any good until you stop doing it 😀 and Yea the training for a marathon is like having a part time job 😂
Well done 👏🏻 yes, every "big" run is different, just like every daily run can be very different. Probably having less nerves and certainly knowing that you absolutely CAN do the distance is always a big help.
knowing I did it before and knowing that it was painful and gruelling, did certainly help. I thought it couldnt be much worse than the first time 😂 although I was anxious about York and my sleep in the day before was not great. The night before the couple in the hotel room next door were arguing till 3am 😳
Hi R4inbow, I just read your Manchester marathon report. That was a journey wasn’t it, and I think (cause I’m so experienced after 2 of them 😂) that marathons are a journey, not just the 26 but all the training. You did so well to keep going after 18 miles. It’s takes a great deal of mental strength to keep going. 7 months on you should still be very proud of a sun 5.
I would suggest, if I may, that if you go for a 3rd (which I strongly recommend, good things come in 3s) do take up strength training, even if it’s just body weight training twice a week, it’ll make a difference to your core and help you a lot. I’m only saying this as it has helped me, I don’t have any issues with taking gels or electrolyte drinks, I know it can affect some peoples tummies. Not sure if that’s what made you feel ill.
Thanks, appreciate your reply and looking at my report.
I did do a third one, I did Chester a couple of weeks ago. It went great, although it was tough it was nothing like how I found Manchester. Really enjoyed it and knocked 10 minutes off my time.
I still need to get the strength work done though, so far I've been very lucky avoiding injury
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